FAI CUP Preview: Cockhill Celtic -v- St Mochtas

COCKHILL CELTIC

The last round of this competition was a "Battle of the Celtic's" when Cockhill beat Cork side Casement Celtic one-nil in the Charlie O'Donnell Sports Ground with a 79th minute goal from Aidan O'Donnell providing the winner.

The Team from Buncrana are managed by Donal O'Brien and play their football in the Four Lanterns Ulster Senior League. The Hoops were crowned Champions at the beginning of May claiming their third successive Ulster Senior League title.

Cockhill have a well balanced squad. Goalkeeper Gavin Cullen is a great shot stopper, he saved penalties against Galway United and Bonagee United in the past. Defenders Keiran McLaughlin, Peter Doherty, Johnny Havlin and William O'Connor have conceded just eight goals over the teams short season.

Scoring seems to come easy for the team with Gerry Gill, Mark Moran, James Bradley and Gerard McLaughlin all capable of finding the opposition net.

Cockhill Celtic always give their best in Cup games. Last year against Drogheda United in the FAI Cup 2nd round they took a 1-2 lead while Drogheda needed a Declan O'Brien hat-trick to eventually win 4-2.

Recently against Galway United, in the EA Cup second round, Cockhill played a confident game. A brilliant long range goal from James Bradley plus a late strike from Mark Moran gave the hoops a respectable 4-2 loss in Eamonn Deacy Park.

Kick-off at the Charlie O'Donnell Sports Ground is 2.30pm.

ST MOCHTA'S

St Mochta's emphatic home victory over Arklow Town booked their place in the second round of the 2015 FAI Cup. Despite being two-nil down after 25 minutes, the boys from Clonsilla in Dublin won 5-2 with a superb hat-trick from David Somers and two from former Bohemians striker Glen Crowe.

Manager Brian McCarthy will be confident of making the third round despite a six-nil drubbing from Cork City at the same stage in the competition last year.

The Saints play their football in the Leinster Senior League Sunday Division 1 league and were crowned champions after an amazing run of results a few weeks ago. Confidence among the squad will be sky high for this trip to Donegal.

The St. Mochta's side can boast experience and youth throughout the team. Warren Fee is usually in goal and he saved a penalty in a recent win over Dublin Bus. While at the back Brian Kelly, Brian Fitzpatrick, Luke Harrison and  Mark Sheridan can be relied upon. 

Midfielders Gavin Smith, Jonathan Lyons, Lee Dixon and captain Craig Sheridan provide the perfect service for forwards Karl Somers and Glen Crowe. Other Team members of note are David Somers, Billy O'Neill, Paul McCullagh, Jordan Lancaster, Martin O'Neill and Stephen Deegan who have all played their part in a league winning season for the club.

Special mention goes to David Somers who has had an outstanding goal-scoring season.

Referee  Michael Connolly.

MATCH STATS

Last year Cockhill Celtic and St Mochta's both got byes into the 2014 FAI Cup second round.

Cockhill Celtic team members Liam O'Donnell & Aidan O'Donnell are brothers.

St Mochta's reached the quarter-final of the FAI Cup in 2000 where they met Bohemian FC and lost 2-0 in Dalymount Park.

St Mochta's striker Glen Crowe has two caps for the Republic Of Ireland senior team & he was a member of the Republic youth team in the 1997 FIFA U20 World Cup that finished third which is still Ireland’s best ever world tournament result at any level.

BETTING

Cockhill Celtic 6/4; Draw 9/4; St. Mochtas.

PREDICTION

3-1

Cockhill Celtic

Injured: Unknown.
Doubtful: Unknown.
Suspended: Unknown.

St. Mochta's

Injured: Unknown.
Doubtful: Unknown.
Suspended: Unknown.